Power inverters are such useful pieces of equipment for those that need off-grid power or an electricity backup.
The nature of their use in remote locations, sheds, garages, building sites, and on the road means that their durability is tested.
Plus inverters are not cheap so you want to make sure you take the best care of it to last you many years.
If you want some handy tips to maintain your power inverter to expand its lifecycle along with a number of other benefits then keep reading. We’ll go through all the ways to maintain an inverter, how to clean one effectively and the advantages of doing so regularly.
8 Tips to Maintain Your Power Inverter
Here are some handy ways you can maintain your power inverter.
1. Clean Regularly
However hard you try to avoid it, dirt is inevitable. Even at home, there’s likely to be a build-up of dust every day. If you’re using your equipment in a semi-truck, van, car, or camping then dirt is going to get onto your power inverter even more. You should take the time to wipe down and remove any filth from your machine to stop it from building up and becoming a problem over time.
2. Place in Ample Ventilation
When using your inverter place it in a location with plenty of ventilation. When drawing power, these machines can get hot and need an efficient way to dissipate heat. Even if your unit has cooling fans you should make sure there is a decent airflow for this to operate correctly.
Don’t ever mount it in an enclosed space or box where hot air can’t escape. This will lead to dangerous overheating!
3. Keep Dry
Water is the enemy of sensitive electronics, plus inverters are very rarely built to be waterproof. You should always keep your equipment dry and don’t leave it exposed to rain or spills.
This is another reason to keep your inverter in a well-ventilated area to ensure any water vapor and condensation can escape quickly.
4. Avoid Dusty Areas
Dust can play havoc with the intricate electrical system while also clogging up cooling fans. Large amounts of dust or alien particles can break your inverter over time as electrical connections become grubby. Plus I’ve seen a number of inverters with broken cooling fans due to being overfilled with dust.
Place your inverter in an area that has clean airflow.
5. Avoid Overloading
Overloading is one of the biggest causes of damage to an inverter. You shouldn’t overload it by running too many powerful machines at once. This can damage both your inverter and electrical devices plus risks fire, broken fuses, and explosions.
If your power inverter is regularly running on full load then you should upgrade your unit. For example, if your 1000 watt inverter in your truck is constantly drawing maximum wattage then upgrade to a 2000 watt unit.
6. Neatly Attach Wires
Damage to connecting wires is a common problem on all electronics. We’ve all suffered from worn-out phone charging cables, and the same can happen to power inverter connection cables. This is especially important for portable inverters that get a lot of use. Always strive to neatly secure and store your wiring to increase their lifespan.
7. Replace Faulty Batteries
Faulty leisure batteries are a common source of damage to your inverter. You might notice something wrong with the battery on your LCD screen. Should you become aware of any battery issues you should replace them immediately. If you don’t you risk complete damage to your inverter and appliances.
8. Keep Away From Fire and Smoke
Fire, heat, and smoke can be lethal. You should keep all of your electronics at a safe distance from these sources. Obviously, fire is a danger to any object but the heat can also cause problems in the effectiveness of your equipment. Leaving your inverter too close to a heat source will likely lead to overheating. Plus smoke can leave soot on your cooling fans and circuit boards which may stop them from working.
How to Clean an Inverter – Step by Step
To clean your inverter follow these steps:
- Disconnect it completely from any power source. Plus disconnect any appliances and devices from the unit.
- Use a damp (not too wet) cloth to wipe down the outer shell. Avoid using any chemicals and don’t get any water on the internal parts or outlets.
- Wipe down the wiring and connections such as alligator clips with a dry cloth. Pay particular attention to connections to remove any dust.
- To clean any of the fans or circuits use compressed air, similar to what you might use for photography equipment or computers.
- Make sure everything is completely dry and dust-free before reconnecting your inverter to the battery.
Pro-tip: Ensure the connections between cables and battery terminal are dust, dirt, and corrosion-free for the most efficient usage.
Benefits of Maintaining a Power Inverter
Why bother maintaining your power inverter? Well, there are a number of amazing benefits!
Longer Lasting
The first reason is that your equipment will last years if not decades longer if you keep it well maintained. Using your device correctly while keeping it clean and tidy will help to stop dirt, damage, and corrosion which can all reduce the life of your inverter in the long run.
More Efficient
You’ll also benefit from higher efficiency from a well-maintained inverter. Current will be able to flow more cleanly to help keep high efficiency. Plus your cooling system will be more effective allowing you to run high loads for longer periods. Adding to this, it will help to save electricity in your battery to make the run time longer.
Better Cooling
The cooling system is key to the operation of your inverter. If your cooling system is not working properly you might see your inverter shut down even when drawing a lower load. This can be incredibly frustrating. Removing dust and dirt from your cooling fans helps them to keep spinning efficiently.
Safety
The final big benefit is safety. Making sure everything, including the protection systems, is working correctly can help keep you and your device safe. A well-maintained machine is less likely to suffer from problems with such as overheating, dampness, and short-circuiting.
Final Words
If your inverter isn’t working properly or you feel like things aren’t very efficient then it’s probably time to give your inverter a good clean. If you want to increase the life span of your off-grid power supply then regularly carry out maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition. Plus make sure you’re using it in the correct manner for optimal performance in the long run.
